MISSOULA — Missoula’s Mostad Construction delivered a set of 20 protective masks to the Missoula Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon.
This is in addition to 10 the company has already donated, with 50 more on the way in the coming days.
“As construction workers in Missoula, or in Montana, we’re considered essential and this was a way for us to give back to the community that’s supporting us," Loren Mostad said.
The idea came from a video Mostad Construction watched on a group in Billings that was making masks for essential workers in their community using a 3-D printer.
“We didn’t have a 3-D printer at the time, it wasn’t even something that was on our radar, but we jumped in with both feet.” said Mostad.
The first step, buying several 3-D printers. Mostad said the printers weren’t cheap, but they wanted to get the same high quality printers the Montana Masks Group were using to ensure a high-quality product.
“We’re using ABS Plastic which is the same plastic Legos are made out of, because it’s durable," Mostad said.
Mostad adds that the mask is designed in two separate pieces, making an already time-consuming process even longer.
“It takes twelve hours to print two masks, so we’re able to print about eight a day," Mostad said.
Mostad Construction made the decision to offer the masks to those on the front lines, keeping everyone safe.
“I’m making a batch for the Missoula Sheriff’s Department," Mostad said. "There’s offers out to the Missoula County Health Department, the city police…”
Missoula County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, Jeannette Smith, says these masks will be put to good use.
“If this goes for a very long time and supplies were to become shortened, this just helps extend that and ensure we have it here," Smith said.
Smith adds this is another sign of a community that always steps up to the plate.
“His generosity is really reflective of our community," she added. "Their willingness to come together to help to do what they can.”
Mostad says the sheriff’s office should have the remaining 50 masks within the next two weeks.
